Living With Depression

Living with depression can feel like a challenge, but with the right tools, you can learn to successfully manage your condition. It's important to follow the recommendations of your primary healthcare provider, take any depression medication as prescribed and utilize the social supports around you. It's also important to eat well, get enough sleep, exercise and keep track of your depression symptoms.

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Depression (technically termed by psychologists and psychiatrists as either "major depression," in more severe cases, or "adjustment disorder with depressed mood," in less severe cases) is a very common response to a chronic health condition such as hearing loss. Stress from dealing with hearing loss may even cause anxiety, disordered sleep, less activity and withdrawal—all of which can lead to depression.

Depression is primarily a disorder of mood, characterized by profound sadness, discouragement and hopelessness. When a chronic health condition such as loss of hearing is the cause, the onset tends to be gradual. Perhaps you’ve experienced how living each day with hearing loss weighs heavier than the last. Some people complain of a loss of energy, general fatigue or insomnia, combined with feelings of worthlessness ("My body has failed me!") and guilt ("What have I done to deserve this?").

Seeking treatment for your hearing loss may produce an initial boost in mood ("Maybe this will be the answer!"). Although among those men and women who suffer with severe hearing loss and have to give up their careers, depression may turn to grief. Periods of denial, bargaining and anger may intermingle with depression until, hopefully, a state of acceptance establishes itself and you move forward to seek effective treatment and gain help with your problem.

After you have been diagnosed with depression it is important that you fully follow the directions of your health professional. If medication has been prescribed as part of your treatment, it is important that you take it as directed. If your depression increases or if you have thoughts of suicide, you should promptly tell someone you trust.

Reduce your stress levels by communicating with loved ones, getting regular exercise, joining a support group, and maintaining a healthy diet. During events that may trigger depressive thoughts, such as holidays or the anniversary of a loved one's death, avoid isolating yourself and make sure to communicate your feelings with those you trust. Be proactive by keeping your health professional informed and actively seeking out additional treatment if you feel it is needed.

When things don't go as planned, your initial reaction may be to give up. Instead of giving in to pessimistic thinking, focus on actively noticing your thoughts as they occur. Say them aloud or write them down. Don't fight your thoughts. Simply see them for what they are: just thoughts—not a reason to give up or sink into hopelessness and depression.

Are you holding onto a grudge? Saying "I forgive you" and meaning it—even if you only say it to yourself—can help you heal.

What are you grateful for? Answering this question each day and writing it in a gratitude journal can support your depression recovery. Studies show that seeing the world through the rose-colored lenses of gratitude can boost feelings of life satisfaction and overall well-being. Fifteen minutes of daily gratitude can dramatically decrease stress hormones in your body.

The perfectionist in you may see things as purely black or white (i.e., you're either a success or a failure, with nothing in between), but as you work on mental-health recovery, try to accept that nothing's perfect, including you.

Ask your therapist or counselor about more ways to build resiliency and optimism.

Depression, one of the conditions most commonly associated with suicide in older adults, is a widely under-recognized and undertreated medical illness. Studies show that many older adults who die by suicide—up to 75 percent—visited a physician within a month before death. And some research has suggested that suicide attempts are more common among people who have atypical depression compared to other forms of depression. Knowing what signs to watch for, such as talking about death or saying good-bye to people, can help because you can reach for help in time. Other signs may include preparing the method, such as hiding a weapon or saving up pills, withdrawing from others, exhibiting extreme mood swings, and giving away personal belongings.

This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Mental Health.